System of heat control



July 6,1926. 1,591,228

F. w. OBENHAUS E r m.

SYSTEM OF HEAT CONTROL Filed Jan. :50, '1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III/III FRANCIS W. OBENHAUS AND GEORGE R. ADA i SIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PO 1,591,223 I TENT OFFICE.

MS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AS-

TIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION DELAWARE.

SYSTEM OF HEAT CONTROL.

Application filed January 30, 1922. Serial No. 532,927.

Our inventionrelates to heating systems and is particularly applicable to systems used to heat residences, stores or other buildings. y o

6 The principal object of our invention 1s to provide means for controlling -a gas heater used in such heating and to provide means for so controlling the gas heater that several degrees of heat maybe obtained therefrom.

A'still further object of the invention is to eifect this control from a point remote from the heater and'to provide indicating means remote from the heater for indicating the exact condition of the fire in that heater at any moment. In additionto the general systein of control by which the degrees of heat in the heater may be controlled and indicated, my invention embodies a novel form of valve 1 for accomplishing these objects and a novel I form of push button switch, all of which will be described hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only,

'Fig. 1 is a section through a portion of a residence equipped with apparatus embodys ing my invention.

Fig. 2 isa diagram of connections.

. Fig. 3 isa side elevation of the push button switch.

. Figlfiisa switch.

Fig. 5 is a section on a by the line 55 of Fig.

Fig. 6 is a section on a by the line 66 of Fig. 4:. v

Fig. 7 is aperspective view of the valve mechanism. this mechanism being broken structure. I a

Fig. 8 is a section through the mechanism shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagra 'nism.

"Fig.

- nism. I

' Our" invention may be applied'to any sort QfliEfitiDQZ-bllt it is particularly applicable to store and residence. l'ieatingand in Fig. 1 we show a gas heater'applied to such use. In this drawing, 11 is a'heater having a burner 12 which is supplied with gas, through a valve 13 from a'gas supply plpe back view of the push button plane indicated plane indicated in, of the ratchet mecha- 10 is a diagram of the valve mechaso that away and separated to better illustrate its TTER RADIATOR CORPORATION, OF NA- 14. A pilot pipe 15 supplies a pilot burner independent of the valve 13. The operation of the valve 13 is controlled from a. push button switch 16,- wires being run through conduits 17 from the push buttonswitch 16 to the valve 13. The heater is' provided with a pipe 18 delivering hot air through a register 19- to an .upper floor of the building. I

It will be noted that the .push button switch 16 is situated'at a point remote from the heater. By the term remote from the heater, we are to be understood to mean a point sufficiently far away from the heater the heater can not be seen by the person operating the control- The push button switch 16 contains a push button 20, a high light 21, and a low light 22. In practical operation, in the employment of the invention. shown, the operation of the heater is controlled wholly by the push button switch 16. If, for example, the main burner is extinguished, and the pilot flame only is burning, the heater maybe said to be in the off position. If it is desired to start the heater. the push button 20 is actu- I ated and the valve means 13 is operated "a small amount allowing a low flame. The 1 fact that only the low flame is burning'is V indicated by-the low light 22.- By suitable manipulation of" the switch, as will hereinafter be explained, the valve means 13 can either be returned to th e 0 fl position or to the intermediate position or to a high. position, all of which will be readily indicated by the hi h and low lights 21 a-nd22. as will hereinafter be described.

Considered broadly, our invention comprises a system of multiple control, above described.-' That is to say, a system by which an operator at a remote point can not only turn the gas oif'and on, but can also provide. several degrees of intensity of the flame from this, remote point. Themethod of accomplishing these results will be understood from the following description of the apparatus and'its method of operation. "The push button switch 16 is shown in detail in Figs. 3, 4, 5 mud 6 and consists of .a block-of insulating material 30 which is secured toa faceplate 31 by means of screws 32. The'faceplate 31 is astandard flushswitch face plate which is so arranged that the insulatingblock 30-readily fits in the standard wall receptacles now.in common use throughout the United States. Secured in cavities in the block are four clips 33 which are of proper shape .to take a telephone lamp 34, the filament 35 and tip 36 of this lamp projecting through the. face plate 31 so that they are readily visible and pushed upwardly the are also well protected from mechanical iniurv. There are two of these? lamps 34 numbered 21 and 22 in the previous description.

oped by us after a greatdeal of experimental, and research work, and that we consider the switch an invention in iteself.

The valve 13 is illustrated in Figs. 7 8, 9 and-10 and preferably consists of a brass casting having an inlet opening formed in an extension 51 and an outlet opening formed in an extension 52. Gas pipes may be connected into the extensions 51 and 52. The inlet opening communicates with an inlet,chamber 53 and the outlet opening com municates with an outlet chamber 54. These chambers are separated by a wall 55 having two openings therein, as shown in Fig.

- 10. Small poppets 61 and 62 are provided for closing the upper end of these openings. These poppet-s are carriedon lever arms v63 pivoted on a pin 64, the poppets being forced. downwardly by. flat sprlngs 65 which press against a cover 66 secured on the casting 50. The amount. of gas passing through the be regulated.

openings 60 is regulated by means of'screws 66 having lock nuts 67. By forcing the screws 66' up or down,-the amount of gas which will pass through either of the openings 60 'may be regulated, and thus the amount of flame with either poppet open can The poppets 61.0r 62 are operated by a shaft'70 having pins 71 thereon, these pins cooperating'with under faces of the lever. arms 63 to raise the poppets against-the action of the springs '65. Notches 72 are formed n the lever arms 63, receiving the pins 71 to allow the poppets to seat when the shaft 70. passes certaln' points in its rotation. The pins 71' are so placed that the proper sequence of operation of'thepd'ppets 61 and 62 is secured, as will hereinafter be explained. The shaft'70 isturned through' predetermined angular distances to lift either or both of the inafte'r explained, turningbeing 'acto a high position, and-to an oil? posi-.

oppets, as will here complished by a single magnet coil 80 which. attracts a magnetic plunger 81. The plunger 81-is connected through a connecting rod 82 with a pin 83 of a-beam 84 which is free to turn on the shaft 70. Rigidly secured t '(0 the shaft is a ratchet wheel 85. This ratchet wheel isadvanced by means of a pulling dog 86 carried .on the beam 84, the

beam 84 beingnormally held in the posi tion shown in Fig. 7 by means of the spring 87. When the coil is energized, thecore 81 moves from the olf position shown in Fig. 7 into the position shown in mFig. 9, thus rotating the'shaft 70 in a counter-cloc kwise direction. The exact degree of this rotation is governed by a stop pawl 88 and any rotaton; of'tlie ratchet wheel in l the opposite direction is prevented by acheck pawl 89. A suitable spring 79 forces the pawls 89 and 88 into engagement with the wheel85. A projection on the beam 84 lifts the pawl 88 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 85 when the core 81 moves lIltO- the off? position shown in. Fig. 7.

It will be evident that each downward l0 movement of the core 81- working through the beam 84 andthe pawls 86, 88 and 89 tends to turn the shaft through ajcertain predetermined distance. The't'eeth of the ratchet wheel 85"are so spaced the pins- 71 are so placed that in what may be called the ofi position neither of the pins 71 en-- gage the levers 63 and both of the poppets 61 and 62 are solidly seated, cutting off all flow of gas to the heater ll.

' The-first actuation of that the poppet'61 is lifted from its seat.

300 the plunger 81 then turns the' shaft 70 through such a distance- On the next .actuation of the plunger 81 this poppet "maybe seated, thus turning off the supply ofgas to the heater. On the next actuation the poppet 62 is"lifted,'thus giving what'may be termed a medium heat. The next. actuation preferably seats both' poppets, thus turning off the supply of heat. The next actuation lifts both poppets, thus giving a maximum flow of gas and the succeeding and last movement again closes both P PPQ v I gas to the heater. It wlllv thus be seen that 115 .the valve 13 is moved by means of chef.

thusproviding for no supply of lun er 81 successivel to an.oif osition' a medium os1t1on 'to an oil? os1t1on tion. There are three positions corresponding tothree degrees of heat and three inter- .mediate positions corresponding to no heat.

It is to be understood that while we consider this a preferable and desirable arrange- -ment, we do not wish to be limited to this particular sequence of operation.-

For the purpose of indicating to the userof the heater the-exact condition of the valve 13, and of the fire in the heater, we provide a commutator 90 which comprises a piece of insulating material 91 carrying three strips of metal 92, 93 and 94. These strips contact with figures 95, 96 and 97 which 'are carried on an insulating member 98 carried on the casting 50. The member 90 is solidly fastened onthe shaft 70 and-turns therewith. This member serves to energize the lights 21 and 22 by means of a connection shown in Fig. 2 in which 100 is a battery which is connected at its positive terminal through awire 101 with the strip 40 in the switch 16. This connects the positive side of the battery to each of the lights21 and 22 and to one of the contacts 37. The other contact 37 is connected to one terminalof the coil and the fingers 80, which, in turn, is connected by a wire 103 with the negative side of the battery. It is thus evident that by pushing upon the push button 20 the contact 38 closes the circuit to the coil 80. The finger 96 is connected to the negative side of the battery 95 and 97 are connected to the lights 21 and 22 respectively. It is evident that the strip 94 connects the lamp 21 in circuit, that the strip 93 connects the lamp 22 in circuit, and that the strip 92 connects both lamps in circuit. These strips 92, 93 and 94 make contact with the fingers 95, 96 and 97 on the high, intermediate. and"low positions of the valve 13. The operator can thus tell by looking at the lights 21 and 22 whether the poppet 61- or the pop: pet 62 or both poppets or neither poppet is open.

In practical operation, the low light indicates a low degree of heat, the high light indicates a medium degree of heat, and both lights indicate the greatest degree of heat.

For the purpose of making it possible to operate manually at the furnace when it is desired to observe the operation, or to adjust the screws 66*, a knurled knob 110 is provided on the end of the shaft outside the cover 66. this knob having 111 which indicate the position of the poppets 61 and 62. The knurled-knob is provided with a 'flange 112 having a hole 113 therein. A slidingbolt 115 is provided-in the cover 66,.this bolt being adapted to be pushed-out into the'hole 113 and thus m echanicallv lock the shaft '70 against movement. The hole 113 is so placed that this locking can. only take place when both of the poppets 61 and 62 are seated. I

When, for any reason, it is desired to shut the furnace down, as for example, during the summer months, the bolt 115 is moved to positively lock the shaft 70 and prevent the gas from being turned on accidently or maliciously when the householder does not need it.

It will be seen that our invention provides a ready means for controlling a gas heater, the operator being able to obtain three dearbitrary figures.

'ofz'ra gas heater; valve means controlling said valve meansfrom grees of heat from a point at a distance from the heater, and particularly at the point at which the heat is being used. In practice, the switch 16 is-located at some convenient point Where it indicates thecondition ot the furnace at a glance due to the lights 21 and 22.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a heating system, the combination of: a gas heater; valve means controlling the How of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, adinitting a relatively small flow of gasto said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow ofgas to said heater; or a position intermediate the low and high positions. or an otf'position, entirely shutting ofi' the flow of gas to said heater; means by which a person at a point remote from said heater may cause said valve to assume any oneof said positions: and means independent of said last named means for difi'erently indicating to a person remote fromsaid heater every position of said valve.

2. In a heating system, the combination of: a gas heater; valve means controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively small flow of gas to said heater. or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gasto said heater, or a position intermediate the low and high positions, or an off position. entirely shutting olf theflo". of gas to said heater; contacts controlled by the position of said valve 10 means; electro-responsive =means. remote from the heater, for diflerently indicating to a person, remote from the heater. every position of said valve means; electric con ductors connecting said contacts with said electro-responsive means; and means by which a person at a point remote from said heater may cause said valve to assume any one of said positions.

3. In a heating system. the combination the flow of gas to said heater, saidmeans being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively small flowlof gas to said heater. or a high position, admitting a relativelv large flow of .gas to said heater, or a position intermediate the low and high positions. or an off position. entirely shutting oif the flow of gas to said heaterz contacts con- 1 trolled by the position of said valve means:

electro-responsive means, remote from the heater, for difi'erently indicating toa person. remote from the heater, every position of said valve means: electric'conductorsconnecting said contacts with said electro-responsive means; electrically operated means; step-by-step mechanism by which said electrically operated means successively moves one position :to .an.'-. other, each step serving to move said valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; and means by which a person, remote from said heater, may ener gize said electrically operated means.

' s 4:. In a valvez walls forming a chamber,

apartition wall dividing said chamber into q an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber,

said partition rvall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to close said apertures; and lever arms on which said poppets are pivotallymounted, said .lever arms being pivotally mounted.

5. In avalve: walls forming a chamber, a partition wall dividing said chamber into I an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber,

said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a' plilrality. of popets. adapted to closed said apertures; adustable means for regulating the flow of luid from said inlet chamber through said apertures; and lever arms on which said mounted; means tending to hold said poppoppets are pivotally mounted, said lever arms being pivotally mounted.

6; In a valve: walls forming a chamber, a partition 'wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of pop pets adapted to close said apertures; lever arms on which said poppets are pivotally mounted, said lever arms being pivotally mounted; sand means tending to hold said poppets seated.

7. In a valve: walls forming a chamber, .a

partition wall dividing, said chamber. into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a plurality of apertures 'therethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to close said apertures; lever arms on which said poppets are pivotally mounted, said leverarms being pivotally bination, of said poppetsmay' be unseated.

8. In a valve; walls forming a chamber, a partition wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a'pIurality of poppets adapted to close said apertures; adjustable means for regulating the flow of fluid from said inlet chamber-through said apertures 3 lever arms on which said poppets are pivotally mounted, said lever arms being pivotally mounted, said lever arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; and pins ex-' tending radially from said shaft and adaptsaid shaft and adapted to. be engaged ed to engage said lever arms unseat said poppets when said shaft is rotated and .to be received in said notches tb allow said poppets to seat when said shaft is further ro- 'tated, said pins being so disposed that any one, or any combination, I of said poppets may be unseated.

9. In a valve: walls forming a chamber, a

partition wall dividing said chamber into an inletchamber and an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to close said apertures; lever arms on which sa'idpoppets are pivotally mounted; said lever arms being pivotally, mounted; means tending to hold said poppets seated, said lever arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; pins extending radially from said shaft and adapted to engage said lever arms to unseat sai d poppets when said shaft is rotated and to'be'received in said notches to allow. said poppets to'seat when said shaft is further rotated, said pins beingrso disposed thatany one, or any combination, of said poppets may be unseated; a beam mounted on said shaft and free to turn thereon; a pulling dog secured to said beam; a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on said shaft and adapted to be engaged by said dog; a stop pawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel; and means tending to keep said stop pawl in engagement. with said ratchet wheel, said lever being formed to disengage said stop pawl from said rat chet wheel. W

10. In a valve: walls formingva chamber, partition wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber,

said partition wall having. a plurality of apertures therethrough; a. plurality of pop pets adapted to close. said apertures; lever arms on which said poppets ar'e pivotally mounted, said lever ar s being pivotally mounted ;.means tepding o'hold said poppets seated, said lever'arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; pins extending radially from said shaft and adapted to engage said,

lever armsto unseat said poppets when said shaft is rotated and to bereceived in said notches to allow said poppets to seat when said shaft is further rotated, said pins being so disposed that any one, or" any combi nation, of said poppets may be unseated;

,a beam mounted on said shaft and free to turnthereon; a pulling dog secured to saidbeam; a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on y said dog; a stop pawladapted to engage sa d ratchet wheel; means tending to keep sald stop pawl in engagement -with said ratchet wheel, said lcver -being formed todisengage said stop pawl from said ratchet wheel; a plunger pivotally mounted on said beam; a solenoid in. whiclfsaid plunger moves reciprocally; and means tending to keep said plunger in out position with relation to said solenoid, and electrical circuits, including said solenoid, for drawing said plunger into said solenoid, thus to rotate said shaft. i

11. In a Valve: walls forming a chamber, a partition wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and 'an outlet chamber, said I partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to close said apertures; lever arms on which said poppets are pivotally mounted, said lever arms being pivotally mounted; means tending'to hold said poppets seated, said lever arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; pins extending radially from said shaft and adapted to engage said lever arms to unseat said poppets when said shaft is rotated and to bereceived in said notches to allow said poppets to seat when said shaft is further rotated, said pins being so disposed that any one, or any combination, of said poppets may be unseated; a beam mounted on said shaft and free to thereon; a pulling dog secured to said beam; a ratchet wheel fixedl shaft and adapted to engaged by said dog; a stop pawl adapted to en age' said ratchet wheel; means tending to l; stop pawl in engagement with said ratchet wheel, said lever being formed to disengage said stop pawl from said ratchet wheel; a plunger pivotally mounted on said beam; a solenoid in which said plunger moves reciprocally; means tending to keep said plunger in out position with relation to said solenoid, and electrical circuits, including said solenoid, for drawing said plunger into said solenoid, thus to rotate said shaft; and- "electrical means for indicating the positions of said poppets.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands at Los Angeles, California, this 23rd day of January, 1921.

FRANCIS W. OBENHAUS. GEORGE R. ADAMS.

mounted on said eep said 1 

